Current versions of Microsoft Windows are already capable of recognising a limited number of trackpad gestures, and the company is planning to expand the repertoire of the next generation operating system. Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Operating Systems group, Joe Belfiore, demonstrated the new gestures that will be appearing in Windows 10 during a keynote speech at TechEd Europe.
Three finger swiping will become commonplace in Windows 10, with users swiping up, down, left, and right to achieve different results. Apple computer users will be extremely familiar with how these work as it appears that Microsoft is simply copying the system used there. A three finger swipe down minimises all active Windows, while swiping up will bring them back on screen. Swiping left and right will switch between apps. The new Task View feature can also be activated with three fingers swiping up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHg6JL5sdaI#t=86
It’s unlikely that Apple will be too upset about someone stealing its finger swiping system; considering the two companies have had a history of swiping ideas from one another. It is, however, a good sign for consumers as a generic trackpad gesture system makes it easier to switch between Macs and Windows PCs without having to learn anything new.
The new gestures will soon be rolling out to the Windows 10 Technical Preview, although there is no time frame for when this will happen.
[Source: The Verge]
